Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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TWISTED SISTER

USA heavy rock band formed NYC '76 by Dee Snyder (b 15 March '55), vocals; Jay Jay French, guitar (ex-Wicked Lester), joined by Mark "The Animal' Mendoza (ex-Dictators) on bass '78, drummer J.J. Pero '82. Temporarily based in UK, where metal/glam rock audience received them with more enthusiasm (in USA they were seen as Kiss imitators; members of Kiss had also come from Wicked Lester). UFO bassist Pete Way prod. Under The Blade '82 for Secret label, but appearance on live TV (The Tube) got them signed to Atlantic for vastly superior You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll '83; proved they could sell to pop audience with top 20 UK hit "I Am (I'm Me)' from LP, followed by no. 32 "The Kids Are Back'. Stay Hungry '84 was the first LP made in USA and noticeably more polished, followed by Come Out And Play '85; Love Is For Suckers '87 barely made the top 75 USA but the live show was still raw rock, Synder particularly outrageous.